Vice President Kamala Harris Engages Latino Voters in Las Vegas Town Hall Ahead of Election
LAS VEGAS — With the general election just weeks away, Vice President Kamala Harris took center stage in Las Vegas on Thursday, addressing a crucial demographic for the Democratic Party: Latino voters. In a town hall event titled “Noticias Univision Presents: Latinos Ask, Kamala Harris Responds,” Harris faced a series of questions from Latino voters across the nation, tackling pressing issues from healthcare to the Biden administration’s response to recent hurricanes.
The event drew around 100 attendees, many of whom were flown in from key battleground states like Wisconsin and Arizona. They sat in a semicircle, eager to engage with Harris on topics that resonate deeply within their communities, including healthcare, housing, immigration, and the economy. Harris’s outreach comes at a pivotal moment, as recent polls indicate that while she maintains majority support among Latino voters in states like Arizona (57%) and Nevada (56%), she is slightly trailing the numbers President Biden achieved in the 2020 election.
Addressing Hurricane Response and Disinformation
As Hurricane season continues to wreak havoc, attendees sought clarity on the Biden administration’s response to recent storms that have devastated parts of the South. Harris emphasized the importance of accurate information, stating, “This is not a time for people to put politics.” She reassured attendees that the administration is working collaboratively with local and state governments, regardless of political affiliation, to ensure that communities receive the necessary resources for recovery.
Tackling Healthcare Concerns
Healthcare emerged as a top concern among participants. One poignant moment came when Ivett Castillo, a Las Vegas resident, shared her personal loss, recounting how her mother, who lacked U.S. citizenship, struggled to access adequate healthcare. Harris responded with empathy, highlighting the administration’s efforts to lower insulin costs for seniors and addressing the high rates of diabetes within Latino communities. She also criticized Trump’s healthcare proposals, which she argued would deny coverage to those with pre-existing conditions.
Navigating Economic Challenges
Harris also addressed economic issues that resonate with many Latino families, particularly the rising cost of living. She introduced her Medicare plan aimed at providing home care for seniors and discussed initiatives to combat corporate price gouging. Furthermore, she proposed expanding the child tax credit and offering down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, aiming to alleviate financial burdens on middle-class families.
Immigration: A Balancing Act
Immigration remains a hot-button issue, and Harris was asked about her plans to address both border security and the status of long-term undocumented immigrants. She expressed her commitment to passing a bipartisan border security bill and emphasized the need for comprehensive immigration reform, particularly for “Dreamers” who were brought to the U.S. as children.
A Challenging Question: Trump’s Virtues
In a surprising twist, Harris was asked to name three virtues of her opponent, Donald Trump. Struggling to find positive attributes, she acknowledged that while Trump loves his family—a value she holds dear—she could not overlook his divisive rhetoric and approach to politics. “I don’t think that’s healthy for our issues, and I don’t admire him,” she stated candidly.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
As the town hall concluded, Harris expressed gratitude for the candid questions and emphasized the unprecedented nature of this election. “We are literally having a choice as the American people about choosing a path either that is about rule of law, democracy or something that is about admiring dictators,” she asserted, rallying support for her candidacy.
With the election looming, Harris’s engagement with Latino voters reflects a strategic effort to solidify support within a demographic that is crucial for the Democratic Party’s success. As she navigates the complexities of the upcoming election, her ability to connect with voters on pressing issues will be key in determining the outcome.
